Just Ordered a Gibson J15

yell03 · #1 01-04-2018, 09:46 AM

In November of 2017 I bought my 1st real acoustic, a Martin GPCRSGT.
Not expensive at $999 for an all-solid wood Martin with a Hardshell case, but I love it. Bought it for $300 after my Amazon rewards points.

Since that time I have bought and exchanged...
Yamaha A1M, Martin DCPA4 (nice guitar), and a Taylor 214ce.
I returned and exchanged these towards the purchase of a Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Studio EC from Amazon. After my rewards points and discounts my total cash outlay was $1639, I was happy to say the least.

Well...
Amazon contacted me and said they could not fulfill my order of the Gibson Songwriter.
They refunded me all my rewards points and the $1600 back to my credit card.

I looked on Amazon to see if there was anything else I liked.
I thought about another Martin DCPA4, but it is very similar to my Martin GPCRSGT.

So, even though it does not have a cutaway, a feature I like, I ordered a Gibson J15.
After the 18% discount and my rewards points my total outlay on my credit card was under $300.

I told them I really wanted the Songwriter, they said take 60 days with the J15 and if you don't like it return it at no charge.

Let's hope I can deal with the non-cutaway.
I played a J15 locally and really liked it except for the non-cutaway and lack of an upper strap button.

JBCROTTY · #2 01-04-2018, 11:20 AM

Once you receive it and play it for a while, let us know what you think. I believe you'll be pleased.

Steve DeRosa · #3 01-04-2018, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yell03

...I played a J15 locally and really liked it except for the non-cutaway and lack of an upper strap button.

In order:

IMO they're one of the two finest-sounding recent-issue Gibsons (the other one being the early-2K's Advanced Jumbo), and IME the most consistent structurally/tonally (I've yet to play even one that I didn't like, and a few real standouts that I should have taken home with me )...
I also like to solo up the neck, and I don't own any cutaway acoustics - I say deal with it, and learn to work around it (IME it forces you to think more melodically, much as you would with a 12-fret guitar, and rely less on rote patterns - not a bad thing at all)...
I install all of my upper strap buttons through the heel cap or, when the heel shape permits, along the top of the heel - never had a balance problem on any guitar (including some heavyweight Westerly Guild jumbos), and it doesn't get in the way when I'm playing in the upper positions...

rzbkfan · #4 01-04-2018, 12:44 PM

I own a Gibson J-15, and I can say that they are great guitars. I have nothing negative to say about it. I know everyone is different, but I would be surprised if you did not like the J-15.

yell03 · #5 01-04-2018, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBCROTTY

Once you receive it and play it for a while, let us know what you think. I believe you'll be pleased.

As always, I will do a review and video.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

In order:

IMO they're one of the two finest-sounding recent-issue Gibsons (the other one being the early-2K's Advanced Jumbo), and IME the most consistent structurally/tonally (I've yet to play even one that I didn't like, and a few real standouts that I should have taken home with me )...
I also like to solo up the neck, and I don't own any cutaway acoustics - I say deal with it, and learn to work around it (IME it forces you to think more melodically, much as you would with a 12-fret guitar, and rely less on rote patterns - not a bad thing at all)...
I install all of my upper strap buttons through the heel cap or, when the heel shape permits, along the top of the heel - never had a balance problem on any guitar (including some heavyweight Westerly Guild jumbos), and it doesn't get in the way when I'm playing in the upper positions...

I was actually playing yesterday on my Martin and I purposely limited myself to 15 frets and was ok with it.

Do you install the strap buttons yourself or have a luthier do it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rzbkfan

I own a Gibson J-15, and I can say that they are great guitars. I have nothing negative to say about it. I know everyone is different, but I would be surprised if you did not like the J-15.

As long as I can deal with the lack of a cutaway I should like it.

I really liked the one in the store, but the lack of cutaway kept me from buying it right then and there.

Steve DeRosa · #6 01-04-2018, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yell03

...Do you install the strap buttons yourself or have a luthier do it?

Did it myself, but I have some small-scale woodworking experience - if you have any doubts take it to your friendly local tech...

yell03 · #7 01-04-2018, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

Did it myself, but I have some small-scale woodworking experience - if you have any doubts take it to your friendly local tech...

that would be a good idea

I did buy a Planet Waves headstock trap adapter

TBman · #8 01-04-2018, 03:36 PM

Gibson has the HP line that has a cutaway. Spruce over walnut..

HP 415 W

If you need a cutaway, then get one. Nothing is worse than wanting to play a tune on a certain guitar and you find you're running out of room and banging your hand against the body.

The J-15 is a great guitar though.

yell03 · #9 01-04-2018, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBman

Gibson has the HP line that has a cutaway. Spruce over walnut..

HP 415 W

If you need a cutaway, then get one. Nothing is worse than wanting to play a tune on a certain guitar and you find you're running out of room and banging your hand against the body.

The J-15 is a great guitar though.

I initially went there to try the HP415 and I really wanted to like it, but the J15 was way better.

Maybe it was just those 2 guitars???

TBman · #10 01-04-2018, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yell03

I initially went there to try the HP415 and I really wanted to like it, but the J15 was way better.

Maybe it was just those 2 guitars???

I've played the HP 415 and thought it was good. Could have been just those two you played. Keep an eye on the age of the strings when comparing.

yell03 · #11 01-04-2018, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBman

I've played the HP 415 and thought it was good. Could have been just those two you played. Keep an eye on the age of the strings when comparing.

The two guitars should be very similar, but the J15 played and sounded much better.

I really wanted to like the HP415 with cutaway.

I will have to try another one.

Jukie · #12 01-04-2018, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yell03

The two guitars should be very similar, but the J15 played and sounded much better.

I really wanted to like the HP415 with cutaway.

I will have to try another one.

I was under the impression that with the exception of the cutaway, these two had identical specs. I played a 415 at GC and was quite impressed.

yell03 · #13 01-04-2018, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jukie

I was under the impression that with the exception of the cutaway, these two had identical specs. I played a 415 at GC and was quite impressed.

They felt completely different?

jed1894 · #14 01-04-2018, 06:46 PM

Not to pry, but what year guiitar did you get? The one I looked at on Amazon was a 2014.

Jed

Pickcity · #15 01-04-2018, 08:30 PM

The new (2018) J-15's have strap buttons.
Mine is a 2017 and I love it. It has become my #1 for all around playing.
I've played 5, I think, J-15's at this point and all have been great. It seems to be a pretty consistent model, and very versatile.
I'm confident you will be pleased. Congrats!